December 26, 2016 - Day 361 The First Day of Christmas
In a previous article in The Lutheran Witness, Terence Maher wrote the following:
CHRISTMAS ISN’T JUST ONE DAY
The Church’s celebration of Christmas does not begin with December and end on Christmas, with New Year’s Day tacked on the end. In the Western Church, it begins on Christmas and continues until Epiphany. That day—Jan. 6—is when we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men to worship Jesus. By tradition, these twelve days from Christmas through Epiphany comprise the Twelve Days of Christmas.
THE SONG
What in world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, & especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
DAY ONE
♬ On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Tradition has it that the partridge is Jesus. This seems fitting to me since Jesus is reason for the Christmas season.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 ESV)
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to be my Savior. Please bless my continued celebration of You nativity for the next 12 days. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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